With players like Thapa, Sahal in midfield we will never be able be around above average Asia teams. Someone like Yan Dhanda or Manprit Sarkaria would have finished the match with by now.
Not blaming our players but our midfield is very weak and simply not good enough
I disagree. Our midfielders are good. Obviously not of the Japan, Australia or Iran level but they are above average. Especially Thapa has both creativity as well as work rate to succeed as a good box to box mid. Sahal needs to improve his composure and decision making. I think our players are taking this match too casually. Intensity is missing. Btw what is the logic of playing Chettri against Nepal? When will be try out alternate strikers?
I don’t think they are above average. If there is any position India struggles with is midfield. Happy with wingers and even Center backs now. Again this is my opinion you may disagree
Even I agree that our midfield is light when compared with defense & wingers.
GK : Good. We have multiple options. But coach will start G.S.S in Asian Cup
Defense : Good. We have multiple options in almost all the positions. Players like Rahul, Pritam & Subhasish can play in C.B and/or 3-man defense with wing backs. With the addition of Sana, Roshan & Asish, we will be in much better position. Possible line-up : Akash, Sandesh, Anwar, Nikhil/Pritam
Midfield : Average. Our best player in midfield is Apuia followed by Thapa & Brandon. Defensive players like Jeakson & Rohit still needs to improve a lot. Though Suresh's work rate is good, he is not technically gifted player. We don't have many options in attacking midfield as Brandon injured. Even Sahal & Ashique needs to improve their passing & decision making. Sahal is mainly poor in long passes. Coach is using Udanta sometimes in right mid-field. Instead, he needs to try M.Yasir/Jerry. Possible line-up: Thapa, Apuia & Brandon/Sahal
Forward: Above Average. Though we are struggling to score goals, with proper support from midfield, I feel our forwards (Chhetri, Channgte, Mahesh, Nandakumar, Siva Sakthi) can score goals against 2nd tier teams like Oman, Jordan, China, Syria, Bahrain etc. Even Ashique, Udanta, M.Yasir, Jerry are wingers. Though Liston, Bipin & Manvir are low on confidence while playing for N.T, we have multiple options in forward line. Possible line-up: Mahesh/Ashique, Chhetri & Chhangte
Based on the opposition, team combination may change. If we are playing against Syria & Uzbekistan, coach might start with players like Brandon, Mahesh & Sahal. But against Australia, most likely Ashique will playin left mid-field & Jeakson/Suresh in defensive midfield.
Mostly G.S.S, Sandesh, Anwar, Apuia, Thapa, Chhetri & Chhangte will start all 3 group stage games. And somehow, Coach rates Ashique higher. Maybe due to his work-rate & defensive capabilities.
Nepal players: no 13, 8 & 14 are playing good. I league clubs needs to scout them. As someone mentioned, most of the Nepal attack is from left side. This is mainly due to these players. Even no. 21 is good, but he doesn't have much support from right side/mid-field.
Comments
Not blaming our players but our midfield is very weak and simply not good enough
Btw what is the logic of playing Chettri against Nepal? When will be try out alternate strikers?
Nepal 0-2 India | Full Highlights | SAFF Championship 2023
GK : Good. We have multiple options. But coach will start G.S.S in Asian Cup
Defense : Good. We have multiple options in almost all the positions. Players like Rahul, Pritam & Subhasish can play in C.B and/or 3-man defense with wing backs. With the addition of Sana, Roshan & Asish, we will be in much better position. Possible line-up : Akash, Sandesh, Anwar, Nikhil/Pritam
Midfield : Average. Our best player in midfield is Apuia followed by Thapa & Brandon.
Defensive players like Jeakson & Rohit still needs to improve a lot. Though Suresh's work rate is good, he is not technically gifted player. We don't have many options in attacking midfield as Brandon injured.
Even Sahal & Ashique needs to improve their passing & decision making. Sahal is mainly poor in long passes.
Coach is using Udanta sometimes in right mid-field. Instead, he needs to try M.Yasir/Jerry.
Possible line-up: Thapa, Apuia & Brandon/Sahal
Forward: Above Average. Though we are struggling to score goals, with proper support from midfield, I feel our forwards (Chhetri, Channgte, Mahesh, Nandakumar, Siva Sakthi) can score goals against 2nd tier teams like Oman, Jordan, China, Syria, Bahrain etc. Even Ashique, Udanta, M.Yasir, Jerry are wingers. Though Liston, Bipin & Manvir are low on confidence while playing for N.T, we have multiple options in forward line.
Possible line-up: Mahesh/Ashique, Chhetri & Chhangte
Based on the opposition, team combination may change. If we are playing against Syria & Uzbekistan, coach might start with players like Brandon, Mahesh & Sahal. But against Australia, most likely Ashique will play in left mid-field & Jeakson/Suresh in defensive midfield.
Mostly G.S.S, Sandesh, Anwar, Apuia, Thapa, Chhetri & Chhangte will start all 3 group stage games. And somehow, Coach rates Ashique higher. Maybe due to his work-rate & defensive capabilities.